The History of Lake Isle Retreats
Welcoming guests to Upper Lough Erne since 1998.
Hosting retreats since October 2005.
Hosting retreats since October 2005.
Lake Isle Retreats grew from many years of welcoming visitors to Upper Lough Erne.
While we officially began hosting retreats in 2005, the story begins earlier than this.
While we officially began hosting retreats in 2005, the story begins earlier than this.
1993 – A Visit to Inish Rath Island (Hare Krishna Island)
In early 1993, Tim first came across the Hare Krishna movement. He was wandering down Dame Street in Dublin when he recognised the Bhagavad Gita - an ancient Bhakti Yoga text - in a shop window. Five months later he visited Inish Rath Island, 22-acre wooded island on Upper Lough Erne that was home to a Krishna temple and community.
As he stepped ashore and walked up the woodland path towards the temple, he was struck by the serene surroundings. The island felt a world away from everyday life. When he entered the temple building, he was captivated by the spiritual atmosphere.
In early 1993, Tim first came across the Hare Krishna movement. He was wandering down Dame Street in Dublin when he recognised the Bhagavad Gita - an ancient Bhakti Yoga text - in a shop window. Five months later he visited Inish Rath Island, 22-acre wooded island on Upper Lough Erne that was home to a Krishna temple and community.
As he stepped ashore and walked up the woodland path towards the temple, he was struck by the serene surroundings. The island felt a world away from everyday life. When he entered the temple building, he was captivated by the spiritual atmosphere.
1995 – Becoming a Monk
In July 1995, Tim moved to Inish Rath Island as a student monk.
Life on the island revolved around spiritual practice, community life and service. The sound of birds and temple bells, the sound of mantras being chanted in the temple and the quiet pace of island life created an atmosphere that was very different from the outside world.
Visitors regularly came to the island for festivals, events and open days, and Tim enjoyed helping to make them feel welcome.
In July 1995, Tim moved to Inish Rath Island as a student monk.
Life on the island revolved around spiritual practice, community life and service. The sound of birds and temple bells, the sound of mantras being chanted in the temple and the quiet pace of island life created an atmosphere that was very different from the outside world.
Visitors regularly came to the island for festivals, events and open days, and Tim enjoyed helping to make them feel welcome.
1998 – The Visitor Centre
In 1998, Tim came up with the exciting idea to start hosting guided tours of the temple and creating a visitor centre on the island, so that's what he did. Manu, the man in charge, encouraged and sponsored the new endeavour.
The aim was to provide a place where visitors could learn about the island, meet members of the community and gain a better understanding of the unique way of life that existed there.
The visitor centre became an important part of island life. Through helping to develop it and welcoming guests from many different backgrounds, Tim gained valuable experience in hosting visitors and creating memorable experiences. Tourists, largely from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and the Netherlands, began to hire out cruiser boats and they would visit the temple and island for an hour or two.
Many of the values that would later shape Lake Isle Retreats began during these years on Inish Rath.
2005 – The First Retreat
In 2005, thanks to the guest rooms built by Derek and Gordana, Lake Isle Retreats was able to host its first retreat on Inish Rath Island. The programme was simple: vegetarian cookery, meditation, nature walks and an opportunity to experience life at the temple. Lake Isle Retreats had begun!
In 1998, Tim came up with the exciting idea to start hosting guided tours of the temple and creating a visitor centre on the island, so that's what he did. Manu, the man in charge, encouraged and sponsored the new endeavour.
The aim was to provide a place where visitors could learn about the island, meet members of the community and gain a better understanding of the unique way of life that existed there.
The visitor centre became an important part of island life. Through helping to develop it and welcoming guests from many different backgrounds, Tim gained valuable experience in hosting visitors and creating memorable experiences. Tourists, largely from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and the Netherlands, began to hire out cruiser boats and they would visit the temple and island for an hour or two.
Many of the values that would later shape Lake Isle Retreats began during these years on Inish Rath.
2005 – The First Retreat
In 2005, thanks to the guest rooms built by Derek and Gordana, Lake Isle Retreats was able to host its first retreat on Inish Rath Island. The programme was simple: vegetarian cookery, meditation, nature walks and an opportunity to experience life at the temple. Lake Isle Retreats had begun!
Cookery Demo by Syamananda Das, September 2009
Yoga and Meditation Retreat, September 2009
2005–2011 – Retreats on Krishna Island
In October 2005, Lake Isle Retreats began hosting retreats in the Victorian Country House on Inish Rath Island, a building dating back to the 1850s.
For six years, guests enjoyed weekends on the island surrounded by woodland walks, lake shore scenery and the unique atmosphere of island life. Most guests found us through personal recommendation and many returned again and again.
2012–2021 – Mandala House
In June 2012, Lake Isle Retreats moved to Mandala House on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, directly opposite Inish Rath Island. For the next nine years, guests continued to enjoy retreats and short breaks close to the shores of one of the largest lakes on the island of Ireland.
In October 2005, Lake Isle Retreats began hosting retreats in the Victorian Country House on Inish Rath Island, a building dating back to the 1850s.
For six years, guests enjoyed weekends on the island surrounded by woodland walks, lake shore scenery and the unique atmosphere of island life. Most guests found us through personal recommendation and many returned again and again.
2012–2021 – Mandala House
In June 2012, Lake Isle Retreats moved to Mandala House on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, directly opposite Inish Rath Island. For the next nine years, guests continued to enjoy retreats and short breaks close to the shores of one of the largest lakes on the island of Ireland.
Manda House reading room, 2018
2021–Present – Bhakti Cottage
Since 2021, Lake Isle Retreats has been based at Bhakti Cottage on Upper Lough Erne.
Retreats continue throughout the year, making use of Bhakti Cottage together with a neighbouring holistic centre.
Twenty years after those first retreat weekends, Lake Isle Retreats continues to welcome guests to Upper Lough Erne.
Some guests who attended retreats in the early years still return today. Others are discovering the area for the first time.
While the venues have changed over the years, a warm welcome, good food and the beauty of Fermanagh remain at the heart of the experience.
Since 2021, Lake Isle Retreats has been based at Bhakti Cottage on Upper Lough Erne.
Retreats continue throughout the year, making use of Bhakti Cottage together with a neighbouring holistic centre.
Twenty years after those first retreat weekends, Lake Isle Retreats continues to welcome guests to Upper Lough Erne.
Some guests who attended retreats in the early years still return today. Others are discovering the area for the first time.
While the venues have changed over the years, a warm welcome, good food and the beauty of Fermanagh remain at the heart of the experience.
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Lake Isle Retreats recommends Govinda's Vegetarian Restaurant, 83 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin and ISKCON Ireland Ltd, 83 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 - charity no. 6368 (in the Republic of Ireland). |
